A vehicle includes a clutch to couple a motor and transmission, and a controller that, in response to a regenerative braking request and a temperature being within a first range, partially capacitizes the clutch for regenerative torque transfer therethrough with slip, and in response to another regenerative braking request and the temperature being within a second range less than the first, fully capacitizes the clutch prior to regenerative torque transfer therethough to preclude slip.

Methods and systems for detecting and clearing battery power failure of an electric clutch actuator (ECA) include use of a capacitor connected to the ECA. The capacitor is connected to the ECA such that when the ECA and a battery configured to output a battery voltage are connected together a capacitor voltage matches the battery voltage and when the ECA and the battery are disconnected from one another the capacitor voltage differs from the battery voltage. A loss of battery connection is detected upon a difference between the capacitor voltage and the battery voltage exceeding a threshold.

A method is provided to control a hybrid powertrain to achieve a desired engine speed in a combustion engine, said powertrain comprising: a gearbox with input and output shafts with the combustion engine connected to the input shaft; a first planetary gear connected to the input shaft and a first main shaft; a second planetary gear connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft; first and second electrical machines respectfully connected to the first and second planetary gears; first gear pair connected with the first main shaft; and second gear pair connected with the second main shaft. The method comprises a) ensuring that two rotatable components in the first planetary gear are connected; b) ensuring that all rotatable components in the second planetary gear are disconnected; c) ensuring that a gear is engaged in the first gear pair, d) ensuring that the second gear pair is disconnected; e) controlling the second electrical machine so that a desired torque is achieved in the output shaft; f) controlling the combustion engine to a desired engine speed; and g) controlling the first electrical machine so that a desired total power consumption for the first and the second electrical machines is achieved.

A powertrain for a vehicle includes a combustion engine and a drivetrain having a coupling with a first state of operation in which the input of the coupling is locked to the output of the coupling, and a second state of operation in which the input of the coupling is not locked to the output of the coupling for allowing slippage. The drivetrain also has a final drive configured for supplying torque to a drive wheel from the coupling, wherein the final drive is coupled to the coupling at a fixed gear ratio. The powertrain further includes one or more electric motors configured to supply torque to the drivetrain one or both of the input side and the output side of the coupling.

A hybrid vehicle may include an engine, a drive wheel, a CVT for driving the drive wheel by continuously changing an engine power, an electric motor for driving the drive wheel, and a transaxle mechanically linked to the drive wheel. The transaxle may include an input shaft having first and second ends axially opposite each other and a clutch interposed between the motor and the input shaft. The first end of the input shaft is structured to receive power from the CVT and the second end of the input shaft is structured to receive power from the electric motor, The clutch, the second end of the input shaft and a motor shaft serving as a rotary axis of the motor are coaxially disposed.

Powertrain configurations for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are disclosed. One powertrain comprises: a prime mover; an electric motor-generator, said electric motor-generator mechanically coupled to said prime mover via a first clutch; a transmission, said transmission mechanically coupled to said electric motor-generator via a second clutch; a battery, said battery electrically coupled to said electric motor-generator, said battery capable of supplying electrical energy to said electric motor-generator; and a controller, said controller capable of supplying control signals to said prime mover, said first clutch, said electric motor-generator, said second clutch and said transmission such that said controller is capable of dynamically affecting a plurality of operating modes. Manual control modes for the vehicle and transmission of the HEV or PHEV are used for the purpose of optimizing power, efficiency and the use of either one of the energy sources obtained from off-board sources.

A transaxle may include a motor, an input shaft, first and second output shafts, and first and second clutches. The input shaft has first and second ends. The first end of the input shaft is structured to receive an engine power from an engine. The second end of the input shaft is structured to receive motor power from the motor. The first output shaft is driven by power outputted from the input shaft. The second output shaft is driven by the motor power. The second output shaft is extended coaxially to the input shaft. The first clutch is interposed between the motor and the input shaft. The second clutch is interposed between the motor and the second output shaft. The first clutch and the second clutch are coaxially disposed between the second end of the input shaft and an axial end of the second output shaft.

A powertrain for a vehicle includes a combustion engine and a drivetrain having a coupling with a first state of operation in which the input of the coupling is locked to the output of the coupling, and a second state of operation in which the input of the coupling is not locked to the output of the coupling for allowing slippage. The drivetrain also has a final drive configured for supplying torque to a drive wheel from the coupling, wherein the final drive is coupled to the coupling at a fixed gear ratio. The powertrain further includes one or more electric motors configured to supply torque to the drivetrain one or both of the input side and the output side of the coupling.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid driveline that includes an engine, a motor/generator, and a driveline disconnect clutch are described. The systems and methods may improve vehicle efficiency while providing expected vehicle operation and performance. In one example, transmission line pressure is adjusted to match driveline disconnect clutch torque capacity to driver demand torque.

A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to plan a plurality of vehicle speeds for an upcoming road segment, adjust one or more of the planned speeds based on a predicted torque loss including a penalty based on a predicted torque impeller speed, and actuate a propulsion according to the planned speeds to lock a torque converter clutch.